BPCA Codes of Practice

Code of Practice for the Disposal of Feral Cats

This Code of Practice was produced by the British Pest Control Association.

In certain circumstances feral cats can pose a threat to public health. When all other options have been considered, pest control servicing companies may be requested to cage trap these animals, remove them from site and dispose of them.

In the past the accepted method for disposal of these animals was to introduce the cage trap into a lethal chamber containing a measured dose of chloroform. This method has been called into question both in terms of humaneness and operator safety.

The Association has therefore produced this guidance note to its members and recommends that they follow the practices laid down below. 

1. Domestic Animals - All cats cage trapped be examined for signs that they may be household pets (collars, tags etc.) and if so that they be released.
2. Rehabilitation - The servicing company should liaise with the Cats Protection League or other similar agencies with a view to rehabilitating some, or all, of the trapped animals.
3. Destruction - In the event that rehabilitation is not possible and there being no alternative to destruction, the procedure adopted should be that of a lethal injection administered by a veterinary surgeon.

Code of Practice for the Humane Use of Rodent Glueboards

This Code of Practice was produced after consultation with Defra and Natural England.

In order to protect public health within high-risk environments, the use of rodent glue boards remains an important last option when all other control methods have been considered ineffective.

Although glue boards are not designed to physically harm rodents, their use raises valid concerns and they should only be sold to or used by technicians who have been given adequate training and are competent in the effective and humane use of this technique.

The following principles must be followed in order to minimise animal welfare concerns:

1. Option of Last Resort - All other options for rodent control must be considered before glue boards are used. Detailed records must show why other control methods are either considered inappropriate or have failed. Where there is a rodent in a high risk environment, it may be appropriate for glue boards to be placed strategically to ensure immediate control.
2. Check Boards Frequently - Where rodent boards are used these must be inspected at appropriate intervals. This should be within 12 hours of placing, or at least as soon as is reasonably practicable, including weekends and bank holidays. If unavoidable events cause slight extensions to inspection intervals then the reasons should be recorded. Longer delays must be avoided (see contingency plan below). Where possible and practical, inspection times must be organised to minimise the time rodents are likely to be on the board (e.g. if rodents are known to be active during certain periods, inspection times should be arranged with this in mind). If a caught animal displays signs of undue suffering or serious physical harm, the intervals between inspection times must be shortened. Records must be updated after all inspections.
3. Contingency Plan - A contingency plan must be in place so that in the event of an emergency a second competent person can be called upon to inspect the boards and deal with any captures or safely remove the boards as appropriate. Where it is known boards will not be inspected at appropriate intervals they must be taken up (even if only temporarily).
4. Protect Non Target Species - Boards must be placed in such a manner that they do not present a risk to non-target species.
5. Use the Correct Size Board for the Pest Species - The size of board must be appropriate for the target species.
6. Detailed Records - Detailed copies of records and location plans should be available on site at all times for all boards laid during any treatment and must be updated as necessary to ensure traceability. Copies ensure information is available should site records be lost or unavailable.
7. Dispatch of Trapped Rodents Humanely - Rodents trapped on rodent boards must be dispatched quickly and humanely by technicians with appropriate training. Placing the glue board in a clear plastic bag and dealing the rodent a sharp blow to the head with a blunt instrument would be an appropriate mode of dispatch. Drowning is not an acceptable method of dispatch.
8. Non Target Animals - In the event that a non-target animal is trapped, a suitable food grade oil or similar emollient should be applied to the animal for removal, or if not a protected species it may be killed humanely. Non-targets should only be released at their site of capture, not elsewhere, and only if they appear to be physically unharmed and their release is not prohibited by law.
9. Remove Boards at the End of Treatment - At the end of treatment all rodent boards must be accounted for, removed by the technician and the records endorsed accordingly.
10. Dispose of Boards Safely - Rodent boards should be disposed of with care. The sticky surface should be covered to avoid the accidental trapping of non-target species or subsequent misuse, and the board should be disposed of in accordance with local authority waste requirements.
11. Communication With the Customer - Code of Best Practice must be provided to the customer to make them aware of the standards that the operative is working to.

The humane use of glue boards is the legal responsibility of the pest controller, and cannot be delegated to untrained people.

All technicians must be suitably trained and competent in their application, maintenance and ultimate disposal including the dispatch of the target species and safe removal of non-target species.

Code of Practice for the Stewardship of Professional Products

This Code of Practice was produced by the British Pest Control Association.

It is noted that products approved under the Control of Pesticides Regulations are split between those approved for professional use and those approved for amateur use. Amateur products are available on the open market to the general public and their content, formulation and packaging is such as to take cognizance of this fact. Professional products have been formulated and approved for use by persons "adequately trained and competent in their use ...". Those involved in the sale of such products must take steps to ensure that they are being purchased for use by such competent persons.All suppliers of professional public health pesticides, whether their pivotal business be distribution of such products or whether they are supplying on products for use by others in the course of a servicing business, must assure themselves of the competence of the person they are supplying to or the persons for whom they are intended.This may be evidenced by one or more of the following:

1. Recognised Qualification - BPC/RSPH (Level 2) Certificate in Pest Control, BPC Diploma Part I, BPC Diploma Part II, RSH Certificate in Pest Control and NVQ II Pest Control
2. Recognised Training Attendance- Confirmation of attendance at industry recognised training courses (e.g. BPCA, RSPH, Killgerm Chemicals, CSL, Acheta, ADAS).
3. In House Training - Full details of any in-house training schemes.
4. Product Specific Training - A recognised attendance certificate at courses for specialist products such as gas releasing compounds for vermin control.

Any BPCA member who may be requested to supply to a pesticide end user with which they are not already familiar should use their best endeavours to ensure that users of professional products can show evidence of one or more of the foregoing.

Code of Practice for the Storage of Pesticides

This Code of Practice was produced by the British Pest Control Association.

Members of the BPCA are required to abide by the content of this Code. By following it, professional users will help to ensure that they meet their duties under relevant legislation.

It contains information on:

1. Fixed Stores - Fixed stores, including purpose-built stores, converted existing buildings or parts of existing buildings and small scale storage in cabinets, chests etc.
2. Mobile Stores - Mobile stores providing short-term storage away from the home base in vehicles.
3. Additional Precautions - Storing small amounts of particular pesticides whose hazardous chemical properties require additional precautions to be taken.